Silverware feeder construction

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for feeding silverware including a hopper for collecting the silverware in bulk amounts and means for gradually discharging the silverware from the hopper. The silverware is then conveyed to a sorting stage for dividing the different types of silverware, the sorter defining openings which selectively separate the silverware including spoons of different bowl sizes. Means are provided for then automatically collecting the different types of silverware. The sorter and some other portions of the apparatus are manufactured from extrusions which provide an efficient and versatile mechanism for building beds used for holding, transporting and sorting silverware.

United States Patent 1 1 Ettlinger, Jr. et al.

111 3,883,422 May 13, 1975 SILVERWARE FEEDER CONSTRUCTION {73] Assignee:Avant Industries, Inc., Wheeling, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 20, 1973 {2|} Appl. No; 371,703

[52] US. Cl 209/75; 209/97 [5|] Int. Cl. B07c 1/10 [58] Field of Search209/75, 97, 99, 107

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,653,507 4/l972 Ettlingeret al. 209/97 3,675,770 7/l972 Ettlinger et al. 209/97 PrimaryExaminer-Richard A. Schacher Attorney, Agenl, 0r Firm-McDougall, Hershand Scott [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for feeding silverware including ah0pper for collecting the silverware in bulk amounts and means forgradually discharging the silverware from the hopper. The silverware isthen conveyed to a sorting stage for dividing the different types ofsilverware, the sorter defining openings which selectively separate thesilverware including spoons of different bowl sizes. Means are providedfor then automatically collecting the different types of silverware. Thesorter and some other portions of the apparatus are manufactured fromextrusions which provide an efficient and versatile mechanism forbuilding beds used for holding, transporting and sorting silverware.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SlLVERWARE FEEDER CONSTRUCTION Thisinvention relates to a feeding, transporting and sorting mechanism forthe handling of silverware. The invention will be described withreference to the bandling and sorting of silverware in dishwashingoperations, and it will be apparent that various features of theinvention are applicable to different aspects of these and other similaroperations.

The apparatus of the invention is primarily concerned with the sortingand handling of a variety of different types of silverware. Theinvention is particularly applicable to institutions such as schools,restaurants and industrial cafeterias which handle large volumes ofsilverware to provide efficient service.

ln the case of many operations, sorting of tableware is undertakenmanually. Attempts have been made to develop structures which willaccomplish automatic separation of knives forks and spoons; however,this has proven to be a difficult task since the applicants have foundthat work done by others has resulted in prohibitively expensive orprimarily inefficient automatic sorting systems.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,653,507 and 3,675,770, respectively, describe means forsorting silverware as an operation apart from the sorting of other itemstableware. As outlined in these patents. constructions developed for thesorting of general items of tableware are generally not satisfactoryfrom the standpoint of sorting silverware. The instant invention isprimarily concerned with providing improvements in the structuresdescribed in these patents.

It has been found that mechanisms which work well under regulatedconditions, often do not operate efficiently when peak conditionsdevelop. This is of particular concern in silverware sortingconstructions since there are inherently peak hours of activity inrestaurants and the like and, therefore, efficient sorting during suchpeak hours is quite important.

The automatic sorting of silverware is desirable for other reasons.Pieces of silverware represent a proportionally higher number when thetotal amount of all ta bleware used in a particular institution isconsidered. Accordingly, efficient handling of the silverware is extremely important from the standpoint of minimizing labor costs, and theexpense of maintaining a large sup ply of silverware.

As pointed out in the aforementioned patents, it is also particularlynecessary in the case of silverware sorting means to provide a reliableand efficient con struction. Thus, silverware pieces are relativelysmall, and could lead to significant maintenance problems if any ofthese pieces become jammed. This can lead to lost operating time, andsignificant increases in expense for the owner of the sortingconstruction.

One of the problems which develops during peak load periods is theinability of various sorters to handle heavy loads of silverware. Inmany instances, it is necessary to feed silverware sorters in manuallycontrolled lots since the sorters cannot function properly when fedlarge amounts of silverware in a relatively short period.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improvedsilverware sorting apparatus.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a silverwaresorting apparatus which is particularly useful during peak periods sincethe sorter can be fed silverware in large amounts while the sortingoperation is quite efficiently carried out.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a silverwaresorter which includes means for automatically regulating the feeding ofsilverware to other sections of the apparatus.

[t is a still further object of this invention to provide a silverwaresorter of the type described which includes means designed specificallyfor the separation of spoons having both larger bowl sizes (e.g. soupspoons) and smaller bowl sizes (e.g. teaspoons).

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a sorterconstruction which includes vibrating beds for supporting and movingsilverware, said beds being assembled from extruded or otherwise formedmembers whereby the construction of the sorting apparatus can be carriedout in a highly efficient manner.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter andfor purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specificembodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a silverware feeding and sortingconstruction characterized by the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the construction;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of internal mechanisms taken about the line 3-3 ofP16. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the construction taken from the right-handside of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about the line 5-5 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the sorting bed utilized in theconstruction;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating transferconveyors interposed between the sorting bed and collection chutes ofthe construction; and,

P10. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 88 of FIG. 7.

This invention generally relates to an apparatus for handlingsilverware. The apparatus includes means for feeding silverware which isinitially collected in bulk. Conveyor mechanisms, preferably havingvibrating mounts for achieving the conveying movement, are utilized fordelivering the silverware to a sorting mechanism. The conveyors includean impact plate which operates to splash" the silverware therebyincreasing the spreading of the silverware over the surface to achievemore uniform distrubution with respect to the sorter.

The sorting structure employed with the described feeding mechanismspreferably comprises a structure of the type described in theaforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,675,770. This structure, in accordancewith this invention, may be modified to include an improved means forseparating the silverware, specifically spoons of different sizes. Theseimproved means comprise slots designed to selectively accommodate spoonbowls whereby smaller spoons will pass through the sorting structure atone stage with the larger spoons passing through at a later stage. Theslots are also designed so that other silverware, particularly knivesand forks will discharge at different positions.

The construction also includes transfer conveyor means located beyondthe sorting bed for collecting the individual types of silverware andfor conveying these types independently toward a collection area. Thetransfer mechanisms are designed so that the silverware will drop fromthis bed through openings which always maintain the working end of thesilverware in the upper position. Collection chutes and receptacles,therefore,

receive the silverware with the working ends in the upper position sothat the silverware can be conveniently transferred to a washingapparatus. Thus, the silverware in the washing apparatus will have theworking ends exposed for maximum washing efficiency. if clean silverwareis being handled, then it can be returned to the serving area.

The structure of the invention also includes improved means forconstructing conveyor and sorting beds. Particularly, extrusions havebeen designed which permit the highly efficient and economical assemblyof the beds. The extrusions are ofa versatile design so that intermediate beds and sorting and conveyor beds can be made with the sameextrusions depending upon the particular manner in which the extrusionsare assembled. The extruded" effect could also be achieved by othermethods such as molding, forming and the likev The constructionillustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a main storage hopperdesigned to collect silverware in bulk amounts. A wash rack, washingbasket or other means may be utilized for collecting silverware which isthen dumped into the storage hopper. This hopper is mounted on resilientsupports 14 and has a bin vibrator 16 mounted on the underside so thatsilverware dumped into the hopper will be directed toward the dischargeend of the hopper.

The hopper may include a bed portion defining V- shaped grooves 18 asshown in FIG. 4. With this arrangement, the silverware tends to spreadin a relatively uniform fashion over the width of the hopper and toalign itself parallel with the hopper groovesv If de sired, the groovedarrangement may be confined to an area adjacent the end of the hopper.

Beyond the hopper, silverware is conveyed by means of vibrating troughconveyor 30. This trough comprises a flat pan and is mounted on flexiblemembers 32 and vibrator 34 whereby silverware is conveyed to thedischarge end of the trough. Silverware drops from the trough onto animpact surface 36. The end of the trough is spaced from this impactsurface so that a splashing" effect occurs. The use of the impact surface is particularly desirable since the silverware is of fectivelyspread out across the width of the impact sur' face.

A grooved conveyor bed 38 includes side panels 28 which provide supportfor the impact surface, and this bed is in turn supported by vibrator 39and flexible members 40. Accordingly, silverware on the impact surfaceis delivered onto bed 38, and discharged through slots 37 defined by thebed. The vibrator operates to move the silverware over this bed wherebyall of the silverware eventually reaches a slot. The slots aredimensioned so that the silverware will preferably fall throughhandles-first.

The bed 38 may include deflector members which are attached to theridges 33 of the grooved bed. These deflector members are of triangularshape, and if any silverware located on the bed is overhanging a ridge,the deflector members will serve to encourage the sil verware to alignlongitudinally in a trough as the silver ware progresses along the bed.

Silverware discharged from the bed 38 is passed onto a sorting bed 42.This sorting bed also comprises a grooved bed which is supported on avibrator 44 having flexible members 46 associated therewith. Silverwaredeposited on the bed is transported by the vibrating support. Uprightshields 48 and are positioned so that silverware dropping from the bed38 will not bounce over the sides of the bed 42 but will instead beconfined within one of the grooves or troughs defined by the bed.

The taller shields 48 may extend upwardly over the sides of the bed 38thereby maintaining the beds in alignment with the other shields 45extending to a position adjacent the bed 38. Transversely extendingbraces 47 may be used for rigidity.

Located immediately above the bed 42 is a pan 83 supported on the frameof the construction. This pan receives any overflow from the bed 38which could occur whenever silverware piles up on the bed to the extentthat some pieces do not fall through slots 37. This silverware on thebed 83 can be readily transferred manually by an attendant into thehopper 10 for recycling.

As an alternative, the pan 83 could be supported on the braces 47 inwhich case the pan would vibrate with the bed 42 so that the overflowwould move along the pan 83 and then be discharged into an overflowcollection container 96. This collection container is, as indicated,also in position to receive any overflow from the bed 42.

The sorting bed 42 defines elongated slots along the bottom of thetroughs defined by the bed. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, these slotscomprise a first nar row section 52 through which forks 54 willimmediately pass upon being dropped from the bed 38. Thus, forks of thetype used in restaurant operations and other facilities feeding largenumbers of persons are thin throughout their entire length and willreadily slide through the narrow section 52. Due to the thickness of thehandles of knives 56, and also due to the weight of the handles, theknives will lie in a horizontal position over the slot section 52. Thehandles of spoons 58 and 60 will pass through slot sections 52; however,the spoon bowls define an effective cross section such that the spoonswill be suspended in this slot area.

The adjacent slot section 62 is wider, and the knife handles will thenpass through. The bowls of spoons 58 are, however, sufi'iciently wide sothat the spoons will remain suspended in the area of slot sections 62especially in the area of the walls of rails 50. In this connection,reference is made to US. Pat. No. 3,675,770 where a description of meansfor maintaining the spoons in an upright position is provided.Basically, the spoons are confined by a wall extending beneath the bedand when in engagement with the wall, the spoons are held upright andthus prevented from dropping through the bed.

A succeeding slot section 64 is dimensioned to be wide enough so thatthe smaller spoons 58 (normally teaspoons) will pass through. Largerbowled spoons 60 remain suspended, however, and these spoons aregradually transported to the end of the slot at which point the largerbowled spoons encounter a V-shaped slot section 66. The V-shaped slotsection is such that the bowls of the larger spoons 60 quicklyaccommodate to the slot section. Thus, the concave nature of a bowltends toward a cross section corresponding with the shape of the slotsection 66 so that the larger bowled spoons readily pass through theslot section.

The construction includes an additional bed or group of beds 68, 70, 72and 74. One of these beds is located directly beneath each dischargelocation provided by the slot sections. Accordingly, the bed 68positioned beneath the bed 56 will collect only forks. Bed 70 isprovided for collecting knives, and beds 72 and 74 collect smaller andlarger bowled spoons, respectively. Deflector members 76 may be providedon the beds, these deflector members functioning in the manner of thedeflector members 35. It has been found that it is not necessary toprovide a deflector member for knives due to the fact that the straightedges thereof preclude any hang-up on the bed ridges. Shields 78 toprevent bouncing of silverware off the beds may be utilized. One or morevibrators 79 may be associated with the beds 68-74.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the beds 68 through 74 define short slots 80,and these slots are defined so that the silverware will be deposited ina container such as shown at 82 with the business end of the silverwarein the upright position. By controlling the position of the silverware,a great deal of operating efficiency is provided from the standpoint ofcommercial dishwashing operations. Thus, such equipment depends on theforce of liquids applied to the articles being washed and by exposingthe working ends of the silverware in the dishwashing operation, thechances of providing clean silverware are greatly increased. At thepresent time, a great deal of manual labor is involved just in theloading of silverware in containers for passage of the silverwarethrough a dishwashing machine. The containers 82 may comprise basketswhich are directly insertable into a dishwashing construction so that nohandling of the silverware for any reason is required.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a chute 81 is positioned at theend of each of the beds 68 through 74 for delivering silverwaredischarged from the beds to the containers 82. These chutes tend tofurther confine the movement of the silverware to insure delivery of thesilverware into the containers. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the containers82 may be designed to collect silverware in a horizontal position asmight be preferred where the silverware is sorted subsequent to washing.

In a preferred form of the invention, a separate container 96 may bepositioned at the end of the bed 42 for collecting any silverware whichdoes not pass through the bed. In some instances, the silverwarecollected in the container 96 may comprise odd-shaped or bent pieces. Inother instances, the sorter may deliver a separate type of silverware,for example knives having thick handles, usually hollow-handled knives.

As indicated, the bed structures are preferably made from extrusionsdefining grooves for carrying the silverware in separate paths. Theextrusions define a cross section whereby two or more extrusions can besecured together to form a bed for conveying silverware. Each extrusionsection comprises an elongated wall 84, a shorter opposite wall 86, andintermediate walls 85, the grooves 43 being defined between these walls.

FIG. 5 illustrates assemblies of two extrusions joined together toprovide beds 38 and 42. The beds are assembled with the elongated wall84 connected, and with the shorter walls 86 forming the outside edges ofthe conveyor bed. The elongated walls provide a sufficient span forreceiving the vibrator mounting means. This arrangement also provides ahigh central barrier wall which is effective from the standpoint ofspreading the silverware since equal amounts of the pieces tend tocollect on opposite sides of the high central wall. Thus, the sortingoperation can be more effectively carried out if the silverware isevenly divided between the respective grooves of a conveyor bed.

The extrusions define downwardly extending ribs including elongated ribs92 associated with the longer walls 84 and previously described shorterribs 50 which are provided in pairs beneath each groove. The ribs 92 areparticularly useful as mounting means for the vibrators associated withthe several beds. All of the ribs serve as strengthening means for theextrusions, and the ribs 50 as described, also function during spoonseparation.

Individual extruded members are used for forming the bed sections 6874,and these members may be of the same design or modified, as shown, toexclude the rib portions. The use of the extruded members for formingthe conveyor beds is highly economical in that these members can beproduced on a production basis, and the same extruded cross sections areused for all types of conveyor beds. This reduces inventory problems andthus provides a further saving.

The use of vibrators for achieving movement of silverware along therespective beds represents a preferred form of the invention. Thevibrators are a relatively inexpensive and highly efficient means forachieving conveyor movement. Furthermore, these vibrators are virtuallymaintenance-free when compared with other conveyor structures whichrequire moving parts. The speed of conveyor movement achieved with thevibrators can be controlled depending upon the particular function beingundertaken. In the case of the conveyor bed 42, it is preferred to movethe silverware at a higher rate of speed since this does not disrupt thesorting function while it minimizes the possibility of silverwarestacking up within the system. In addition to providing a higher speedfor the bed 42 relative to the bed 38, it is also desirable to move thebed 38 at a faster rate than the bed 30. With this arrangement,silverware discharged onto the beds 38 and 42 gradually spreads relativeto the spacing on bed 30 so that the silverware on the bed 42 will bespaced apart sufficiently to achieve a proper sorting operation.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be madein the above described description which provide the characteristics ofthe invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a construction for sorting spoons wherein the bowls of the spoonsare of different sizes, the improvement comprising a sorter bed, saidsorter bed defining a plurality of spaced parallel grooves, loadingmeans for depositing spoons on said bed, means associated with the bedfor moving spoons along the bed and including at least one openingdefined at the bottom of one of said grooves whereby said spoons canpass through said sorter bed, said opening being dimensioned so that thehandles of the spoons will pass through the sorter bed with the spoonbowls suspending the spoons on the bed, a first portion of said openingdimensioned to permit the passage of smaller bowl spoons through theopening, and including a second portion of said opening, said secondportion defining wing sections adapted to receive bowl edges of largerbowl spoons whereby the larger bowl spoons drop through said sorter bedat said second portion.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second portioncomprises two wing sections in the form of narrow slots radiatingangularly outwardly from a center point on each side of said opening.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said slots define aV-shaped configuration.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said opening definesa third portion preceding said first portion, said third portion beingdimensioned to receive the wide handle portions of knives whereby knifehandles situated over said third portion tilt downwardly and passthrough said opening, and including a fourth portion of said openingpreceding said third portion, said fourth portion being dimensioned forthe passage of forks through said opening.

5. A sorting apparatus for silverware including a conveyor bed fortransporting the silverware from one location to another, theimprovement wherein said conveyor bed comprises at least two sections,each of said sections comprising an extrusion including at least twointegrally formed V-shaped troughs extending side-byside between theside edges of the extrusion, one of said side edges including anelongated portion extending substantially above the remainder of theassociated section to thereby form a barrier wall, said sections beingsecured together at side edges thereof, securing of the sections at theside edges defining said barrier walls providing a high wall at thecenter of the bed, rib portions extending downwardly from the undersideof said bed, at least some of said rib portions providing means formounting of the bed, and openings defined by said bed for the passage ofsilverware, pairs of said ribs being positioned beneath said openings inclosely spaced apart relationship to define a channel for engagingsilverware extending through the openings.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including a vibratorassociated with the mounting means for the bed to provide for movementof silverware along the bed.

7. In a method for handling silverware comprising a first bed forsupporting the silverware, vibrator means for moving the silverwarealong the length of the bed, and a discharge position on the bed wherebythe silverware drops from the bed, and at least one additional bed andassociated vibrator means positioned beneath the first bed, theimprovement comprising the steps of operating the vibrator means forsaid second bed to move silverware along the length of said second bedat a rate faster than the movement of silverware along said first bedwhereby the silverware on said second bed is spread more thinly over thebed surface than the silverware on the first bed, and including the stepof providing means on said second bed for dividing the silverware intodifferent types, and collecting the respective types at separatelocations.

8. in an apparatus for feeding and sorting silverware wherein thesilverware is delivered in bulk amounts to a collecting hopper, and asorting bed for receiving the silverware, said sorting bed including aplurality of parallel grooves spaced apart over the width of the bed,the improvement comprising a plate defining an impact surface interposedin the path of movement of the silverware from the hopper to the sortingbed, said silverware falling onto said surface and spreadingsubstantially evenly over said surface, a conveyor bed supporting saidplate, and vibrator means connected to said conveyor bed for moving thesilverware off said plate and onto said conveyor bed, said conveyor bedextend ing to said sorting bed whereby said vibrator means deliverssilverware from said conveyor bed to said sorting bed, said plate,conveyor bed and sorting bed being of substantially coextensive widthwhereby silverware is delivered in substantially even amounts to thegrooves of said sorting bed.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said conveyor beddefines spaced, parallel grooves substantially aligned with the groovesof said sorting bed whereby the silverware is passed between respectivealigned grooves of said sorting bed and said conveyor bed.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said sorting bedincludes means for sorting spoons when the bowls of spoons on thesorting bed are of different sizes, said sorting means including atleast one opening defined at the bottom of one of said grooves wherebysaid spoons can pass through said sorting bed, said opening beingdimensioned so that the handles of the spoons will pass through thesorting bed with the spoon bowls suspending the spoons on the bed, afirst portion of said opening being dimensioned to permit the passage ofsmaller bowl spoons through the opening, and including a second portionof said opening, said second portion defining wing sections adapted toreceive bowl edges of larger bowl spoons whereby the larger bowl spoonsdrop through said sorting bed at said second portion.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said second portioncomprises two wing sections in the form of narrow slots radiatingangularly outwardly from a center point on each side of said opening.

12. An apparatus in accordance witn claim ll wherein said slots define aV-shaped configuration.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said openingdefines a third portion preceding said first portion, said third portionbeing dimensioned to receive the wide handle portions of knives wherebyknife handles situated over said third portion tilt downwardly and passthrough said opening, and including a fourth portion of said openingpreceding said third portion, said fourth portion being dimensioned forthe passage of forks through said opening.

1. In a construction for sorting spoons wherein the bowls of the spoonsare of different sizes, the improvement comprising a sorter bed, saidsorter bed defining a plurality of spaced parallel grooves, loadingmeans for depositing spoons on said bed, means associated with the bedfor moving spoons along the bed and including at least one openingdefined at the bottom of one of said grooves whereby said spoons canpass through said sorter bed, said opening being dimensioned so that thehandles of the spoons will pass through the sorter bed with the spoonbowls suspending the spoons on the bed, a first portion of said openingdimensioned to permit the passage of smaller bowl spoons through theopening, and including a second portion of said opening, said secondportion defining wing sections adapted to receive bowl edges of largerbowl spoons whereby the larger bowl spoons drop through said sorter bedat said second portion.
 2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1wherein said second portion comprises two wing sections in the form ofnarrow slots radiating angularly outwardly from a center point on eachside of said opening.
 3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid slots define a V-shaped configuration.
 4. An apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said opening defines a third portionpreceding said first portion, said third portion being dimensioned toreceive the wide handle portions of knives whereby knife handlessituated over said third portion tilt downwardly and pass through saidopening, and including a fourth portion of said opening preceding saidthird portion, said fourth portion being dimensioned for the passage offorks through said opening.
 5. A sorting apparatus for silverwareincluding a conveyor bed for transporting the silverware from onelocation to another, the improvement wherein said conveyor bed comprisesat least two sections, each of said sections comprising an extrusionincluding at least two integrally formed V-shaped troughs extendingside-by-side between the side edges of the extrusion, one of said sideedges including an elongated portion extending substantially above theremainder of the associated section to thereby form a barrier wall, saidsections being secured together at side edges thereof, securing of thesections at the side edges defining said barrier walls providing a highwall at the center of the bed, rib portions extending downwardly fromthe underside of said bed, at least some of said rib portions providingmeans for mounting of the bed, and openings defined by said bed for thepassage of silverware, pairs of said ribs being positioned beneath saidopenings in closely spaced apart relationship to define a channel forengaging silverware extending through the openings.
 6. An apparatus inaccordance with claim 5 including a vibrator associated with themounting means for the bed to provide for movement of silverware alongthe bed.
 7. In a method for handling silverware comprising a first bedfor supporting the silverware, vibrator means for moving the silverwarealong the length of the beD, and a discharge position on the bed wherebythe silverware drops from the bed, and at least one additional bed andassociated vibrator means positioned beneath the first bed, theimprovement comprising the steps of operating the vibrator means forsaid second bed to move silverware along the length of said second bedat a rate faster than the movement of silverware along said first bedwhereby the silverware on said second bed is spread more thinly over thebed surface than the silverware on the first bed, and including the stepof providing means on said second bed for dividing the silverware intodifferent types, and collecting the respective types at separatelocations.
 8. In an apparatus for feeding and sorting silverware whereinthe silverware is delivered in bulk amounts to a collecting hopper, anda sorting bed for receiving the silverware, said sorting bed including aplurality of parallel grooves spaced apart over the width of the bed,the improvement comprising a plate defining an impact surface interposedin the path of movement of the silverware from the hopper to the sortingbed, said silverware falling onto said surface and spreadingsubstantially evenly over said surface, a conveyor bed supporting saidplate, and vibrator means connected to said conveyor bed for moving thesilverware off said plate and onto said conveyor bed, said conveyor bedextending to said sorting bed whereby said vibrator means deliverssilverware from said conveyor bed to said sorting bed, said plate,conveyor bed and sorting bed being of substantially coextensive widthwhereby silverware is delivered in substantially even amounts to thegrooves of said sorting bed.
 9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8wherein said conveyor bed defines spaced, parallel grooves substantiallyaligned with the grooves of said sorting bed whereby the silverware ispassed between respective aligned grooves of said sorting bed and saidconveyor bed.
 10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein saidsorting bed includes means for sorting spoons when the bowls of spoonson the sorting bed are of different sizes, said sorting means includingat least one opening defined at the bottom of one of said grooveswhereby said spoons can pass through said sorting bed, said openingbeing dimensioned so that the handles of the spoons will pass throughthe sorting bed with the spoon bowls suspending the spoons on the bed, afirst portion of said opening being dimensioned to permit the passage ofsmaller bowl spoons through the opening, and including a second portionof said opening, said second portion defining wing sections adapted toreceive bowl edges of larger bowl spoons whereby the larger bowl spoonsdrop through said sorting bed at said second portion.
 11. An apparatusin accordance with claim 10 wherein said second portion comprises twowing sections in the form of narrow slots radiating angularly outwardlyfrom a center point on each side of said opening.
 12. An apparatus inaccordance witn claim 11 wherein said slots define a V-shapedconfiguration.
 13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein saidopening defines a third portion preceding said first portion, said thirdportion being dimensioned to receive the wide handle portions of kniveswhereby knife handles situated over said third portion tilt downwardlyand pass through said opening, and including a fourth portion of saidopening preceding said third portion, said fourth portion beingdimensioned for the passage of forks through said opening.